This is my latest acquisition, a Root over Rock Itiogawa Juniper from Willowbog Bonsai. This is it just as I bought it. I’m not working on it until the Peter Warren Workshop in September, but I will do a little clean up of the shari and bark and inner weak foliage.
The Front
The Back
My son’s nipples for scale 🙂
Congratulations to Phil and Suse for what was a fantastic day out for all the guests sharing in their big day. Sun was shining, drink was flowing and the craic was mighty 🙂
Here is the day in photos for those who know them and want a closer look.
Well done Mark the Best Man, I think we worked well as a team on the day in keeping Phil right 😉 As a kind gesture, at the end of the day we swapped a cuff link, a nice moment.
And a big thanks to Suse and Phil making me walk into the top table to the the song, ‘Here Come The Girls’!! 😛
After a quick meal back at home, we both headed over to Josh’s Garden for the last stop on our Tour. I have a funny feeling that this was Peter’s favourite stop.
Josh has quite simply some of the best field grown bonsai in the UK. See for yourself.
The main target of our tour, the Giants Causeway. Funny rocks surrounded by thousands of tourists. If I sound cynical, I apologise. It’s a beautiful place, but I’ve been here ALOT!
Next stop was Kinbane Castle for a snack Lunch and a view from the North Coast looking towards Rathlin Island. The mist was blowing in and out along the coast and the view changed every few minutes. Due to a rock slide we couldn’t get down to the Castle.
Next stop was the Dark Hedges just outside Armoy. This was also a first for me and I was keen to take a few photos. This country road is covered by some very beautiful old beech trees. Allie, my wife didn’t like them though, Dark for a reason, it’s haunted by a Grey Lady. Why is it always a grey lady?
Next stop was Sharon’s sunny garden. I posted from here a few weeks ago but as it was on our way to the North Coast, I asked Sharon if I could call with Peter for a look around. Here are a few snaps on the day. My wife and Sharon’s Husband can be seen chatting in the background about what a waste of space bonsai display benches are!! 🙂
Our second stop was Belfast, a few quick messages to be done and just enough time for Peter to get a look at the City Hall, Minus the flag, and the view from the top of Victoria Square.
After a busy few days, Monday usually sees Peter head home, however this time we added an extra day for him to actually see a little of Northern Ireland.
Stop one was to pop into the Bonsai Bakers family bakery. Looks like a happy place to work and we managed to grab a few cream buns to go with our lunch. Now for Peter Jean, he’s on a strict diet while he’s here!
Even more coffee for Stephen!!
Hard at work
Nicole looking well 🙂
After a great day at the Saturday Bonsai School, a few bottles that night and a great Indian meal, the Sunday Workshop loomed large.
As usual Peter starts off with at least one tree from each student getting a run through. A great way to start and a great learning experience.
As all good workshops should be, this one isn’t about getting tree styled start to finish, but about knowledge, learning and what’s best for the tree. Here’s some snaps of the workshop and some of the trees worked on during the day.
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